Friday, March 9, 2012

Manning and The Niners Need Each Other

If I was a close friend of Peyton giving him career advice I would tell him to retire immediately, pointing out that he has a history of spinal injuries in his genetics, a young family, many years left to live in which he would like full function of his neck and spine, enough money to last him a lifetime, a Super Bowl ring, all the merits of a first ballot Hall of Fame career with nothing left to prove and a post-playing broadcasting career just waiting for him to accept.  However, if he was absolutely adamant about coming back to play, either to prove to himself that he can still do it or to have one more shot at matching his baby brother’s two rings then I would tell him to go play for the 49ers.
Peyton has never been a cold weather QB and his tolerance for the elements will only go down as he recovers from neck surgery. Playing his home games in sunny California and regular road games in Arizona or the dome in St Louis will allow him to play the majority of his games in a comfortable environment. The weak division should provide him with an easy path to the playoffs and the tight defense and productive running game should allow him to take it easy later in games. A big Tight End like Vernon Davis in his prime should be every QBs dream in today’s NFL, Michael Crabtree can be a pro-bowl receiver in the right system while a still productive Reggie Wayne has vowed to come with Peyton wherever he goes. 14 years ago Manning replaced Jim Harbaugh as the Colts QB without ever having played a game in the NFL and with any possible hard feelings set aside he will now have a chance to play for him as a coach.

The Niners may be  a great fit for Peyton but he can go anywhere to play. While the Dolphins, Jets and Redskins have all acknowledged that they need Peyton, San Fran is still in denial of that reality. Alex Smith may have a had a decent season and an incredible 6 minute stretch against New Orleans in the playoffs, but let’s not plan a parade around the first overall pick of ’05 just yet. He has been nothing short of disappointing since being drafted way too high out of Utah and his 17 TD season may have been more than anyone expected from him but  far fewer than the league’s elite. With Smith standing behind the center the 49ers were lucky to have won a playoff game this year and most likely will not win another.  However with a healthy Peyton calling the plays the Niners are as legitimate a contender as there is in the NFC. I do not know how healthy Manning is, how long he will be able to play and how many hits he will be able to sustain before calling it in, but what I do know is if Alex Smith was my only other option I would be willing to pay to find out. Quarterback for the 49ers is one of those rare and prestigious positions in sports that should always be filled by a special player, similar to Linebacker for the Steelers, goalie for the Canadiens, Left Field for the Red Sox, Center for the Lakers, etc. Manning is the logical and available choice to continue the Montana/Young tradition.

AND THAT'S THE BRUTAL TRUTH!

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